The very first generation of Vauxhall (or Opel at they’re also referred to) Meriva was launched in 2003 and a second generation followed in 2010. The first was known as the Meriva A and second as the Meriva B.
If you have a fault with your Vauxhall Meriva, chances are that a dashboard warning light will display. As with most cars, the colour of the light, or symbol often indicates how urgent the problem is.
Vauxhall Meriva Warning Light Colours
Blue and green symbols are simply used as information to let you know something is active. Amber / yellow symbols are used to tell you that something requires your attention, but it’s not urgent. Red and in particular flashing red, possibly with an alarm chime are the symbols that you should take immediate notice of. Along with a warning light, you may also see an error fault code on your dashboard display. See Vauxhall Meriva fault codes for a list of possible errors.
What Happens if I Ignore a Warning Light?
It depends what it is, but ignoring a red warning light may potentially result in engine damage or even a potential safety risk to vehicle occupants. Listed below are the Vauxhall Meriva (Opel Meriva) dashboard warning light symbols with an explanation of what they mean along with what action to take.
Symbol name: Charging System
How serious: High
Warning light meaning: The light comes on the Vauxhall Meriva (Opel Meriva) dash with engine ignition and extinguishes shortly. If the red battery light comes on as you’re driving, it means the charging system is not charging the battery. Engine damage may occur due to the cooling system not functioning and risk to safety due to brake servo failing to operate.
What to do: If possible, pull over and switch off engine and arrange a vehicle recovery or roadside inspection. If you cannot pull over immediately, turn off all unnecessary electrical drains such as heater / air conditioning etc and find a safe location to stop.
Symbol name: MIL
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall Meriva MIL (malfunction indicator light), or engine fault light as it’s also known as can either illuminate steady or flash.
- Illuminates: This indicates a fault in the emission (exhaust emissions) control system. Exhaust emissions limits may have exceeded.
- Flash: Bad fuel mixture may result in backfiring which can in turn result in catalytic converter damage.
What to do: Take the following action if the warning light:
- Illuminates: Have vehicle checked as soon as possible. When the MIL or ‘check engine’ light come on, fault codes and generated and stored. Diagnostic equipment is required to read these fault comes which will then help you to find the fault. Most vehicle workshops have diagnostic code readers.
- Flashes: Slow down and avoid pushing the engine hard. You should see the MIL stop flashing. If it continues to flash, have vehicle checked to avoid damage.
Symbol name: Service
How serious: Low
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall Meriva yellow car with a spanner / wrench illuminates informing you that a service is due. A warning message or fault code may also be displayed.
What to do: Arrange to have your vehicle serviced.
Symbol name: Brake / Clutch
How serious: High
Warning light meaning: This red symbol of a circle containing a red exclamation mark on the dashboard indicates low brake and clutch fluid. Have brake and clutch fluid checked and top up if required between the minimum and maximum levels.
Important: Check reasons why fluid levels are low. This may indicate a leak in the sealed brake system.
What to do: If there is a leak in the brake circuit system, then air will gain entry. This will significantly reduce braking ability of your vehicle. It is advised to stop driving or have vehicle checked immediately.
Symbol name: Airbag
How serious: High
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall / Opel Meriva red airbag light comes on with ignition for around 4 seconds as a self-check and should shortly go out. If the symbol stays on or comes on when driving, there’s a fault with the airbag and seat belt pretensioners system.
What to do: The pretensioners system is located under the passenger front seat. Over time, movement of the seat can cause the wiring to become lose. Check connections are all in place.
Symbol name: Airbag Deactivated
How serious: Low
Warning light meaning: This symbol illuminates in amber / yellow indicating that the front passenger airbag has been deactivated. If child restraints has been fitted to the passenger seat, the front passenger airbag must be deactivated. Side airbag, curtain airbag, belt pretensioners remain active.
What to do: The front passenger airbag system can be deactivated via a key operated switch on the right side of the instrument panel.
Symbol name: Operate Pedal
How serious: Low
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall Meriva pedal symbol is stays on constant or flashes.
What to do: Take the following action if the warning light:
- Constant: Light illuminates informing you that the pedal must be pressed to release the electronic parking brake or the pedal must be pressed in order to start the engine from Autostop mode.
- Flashes: To start the engine (main start) the light flashes to inform you the pedal requires depressing.
Symbol name: Parking Brake
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The red ‘P’ in a circle represents the electronic parking brake symbol. It either illuminates constantly or flashes.
- Constant on: The electronic hand brake / parking brake is applied.
- Flashes: The electronic parking brake has either not fully released or is not fully applied.
What to do: Take the following action if the warning light:
- Constant on: Release the parking brake.
- Flashes: Switch on the ignition, depress brake pedal and attempt to reset the system by first releasing and then applying the electrical parking brake. If this method fails, have vehicle checked.
Symbol name: Electric Parking Brake Fault
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: This spanner / wrench and lightening bolt strike light illuminates on the Vauxhall Meriva (Opel Meriva) dashboard indicating a fault with the electric parking brake. The symbol may flash or illuminate constant.
- Constant: The parking brake is operating but with degraded functionality.
- Flashing: Parking brake is in service mode. Stop the vehicle apply and release the brake to reset it.
What to do: Even if the fault light goes out, have the cause of the issue looked into.
Symbol name: ABS
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: Anti-lock Braking System, or ABS allows the driver to brake harshly without locking the wheels. This safety feature prevents skidding, slowing down sooner and allows the driver to steer as locked wheels cannot steer.
What to do: ABS is a separate system from normal brakes, as such, normal brakes will work as usual. Be cautious of using your brakes too hard as the ABS safety feature will be disabled. Have wheel speed sensors checked.
Symbol name: Steering
How serious: Low
Warning light meaning: The yellow steering wheel with an exclamation mark indicates a fault with the Variable Effort Power Steering. This may result in higher ow lower forces required to turn the steering wheel.
What to do: Normal steering will remain unaffected. Have vehicle checked soon. Possible temporary due to power steering motor overheating. If light stays on, have system serviced.
Symbol name: Parking
How serious: Low
Warning light meaning: This symbol illuminates on the Vauxhall Meriva dashboard indicating a problem with the ultrasonic parking assist system. Possible faults are:
What to do: The warning light coming on is often due to:
- System has malfunctioned.
- Dirty sensors – clean sensors on rear bumper and front bumper (if equipped).
- External interference such as noise sources or reflective surfaces.
Symbol name: ESC
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The car skidding symbol means that Electronic Stability Control and traction control is either:
- Flashing: Electronic Stability Control and traction control is active and engaged. You may notice your vehicle slowing due to engine power output being reduced and braking – both automatically.
- Continuously on: The system has a fault. You can continue to drive, but these safety systems will be unavailable and may be noticed on certain road surfaces.
What to do: Reduce speed and avoid harsh, sudden steering if light flashes. If the light is continuously on, have vehicle checked. As ESC uses ABS wheel speed sensors, it can be related to these.
Symbol name: Traction Control
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall Meriva TC lights is an indication that traction control has been turned off or has a fault. Traction control stops wheel spin and helps to maintain grip, particularly in wet and icy conditions.
What to do: If you notice your Vauxhall Meriva running rough and juddering in low gears and has the traction control light on, a common issue is that the spark plugs and coil pack requires replacement.
Symbol name: Glow Plugs
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The diesel glow plugs, or coil light as it’s also called comes on for a short period of time to heat the glow plugs. Longer periods of time may be required during colder temperatures.
What to do: If the glow plug flashes, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) may be blocked. Run through the cleaning process as detailed below. If the glow plugs light still flashes, the glow plugs may require replacing.
Symbol name: DPF
How serious: Low
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall Meriva DPF (diesel particulate filter) warning light comes on when cleaning (regeneration) is required. The symbol may come constant on or flashing.
What to do: Take the following action if the warning light:
- Constant on: The cleaning process begins automatically. If possible, keep engine speed at or above 2000 rpm until light goes out.
- Flashing: DPF is full and requires cleaning to avoid engine damage. Drive on an open road and avoid stopping if at all possible as this will interrupt the cleaning process. Keep engine speed above 2000 rpm until light goes out. At this point, engine damage may occur if the cleaning process is interrupted. If the
light comes on, then the system is unable to be cleaned. Have vehicle checked immediately.
light comes on, then the system is unable to be cleaned. Have vehicle checked immediately.
Symbol name: TPMS
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall Meriva tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) dashboard light either comes on constant or flashes for around 60 seconds and then stays constant on.
What to do: Take the following action if the warning light:
- Constant on: Tyre pressure loss has been detected in one or more tyres. Stop immediately and check tyre pressures.
- Flashing: There is a fault in TPMS or one of the tyres does not have a pressure sensor fitted – this could be the spare wheel for example.
Symbol name: Oil Pressure
How serious: Urgent
Warning light meaning: The red dripping oil can symbol on the Vauxhall Meriva is an indication of low engine oil pressure. High engine oil pressure is required so that lubrication can occur on all engine components. Low engine oil pressure can result in a lack of lubrication of engine components, causing significant damage.
What to do: The moment it’s safe to do so, pull over, stop and switch off the engine. Check engine oil levels and if levels require topping up, do so and check that the oil light has gone out. If the oil light remains on or oil levels do not require topping up, do not continue your journey. Make arrangements for vehicle recovery.
Symbol name: Immobilizer
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The yellow flashing lock and car symbol on the Vauxhall Meriva means that there’s a immobiliser fault and the engine may not be started.
What to do: Carry out the following:
- Change key fob battery.
- Try spare key.
- Immobiliser system may require reprogramming or replacing.
Symbol name: Reduced Power
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall Meriva reduced engine power light (looks light the engine fault light with a down pointing arrow) is an unspecific fault light. Reduced engine power, or ‘limp mode’ is activated as a safety precaution to prevent potential damage.
What to do: Your Vauxhall Meriva should have fault codes stored. These will require reading and having diagnostic equipment fitted will enable you to locate the specific fault.
Symbol name: Automatic Door
How serious: Medium
Warning light meaning: The Vauxhall Meriva automatic door locking system comes on in amber along with a warning chime. It indicates that the rear doors are not secured against opening.
What to do: Stop the vehicle and activate the child lock for both rear doors. If the child locks are already activated, deactivate and then activate the locks again. The green LEDs will switch off and the warning chime will stop as soon as both child locks are activated.
Pull the inner rear door handles to check if the doors are locked from inside. If this doesn’t help, disconnecting the negative terminal for 6 or more hours can resolve the issue if it’s a software fault. If it’s a hardware issue, it’s often due to the switch within one of the rear door lock mechanisms and requires the door lock assembly replacement.
